Kenny Werner is a world-class pianist and composer. His prolific output of compositions, recordings, and publications continue to impact audiences around the world. Born in Brooklyn in 1951 and growing up on Long Island, Werner began playing and performing at a young age, first recording on television at the age of 11. He formed his own trio in 1981 with drummer Tom Rainey and bassist Ratzo Harris. The trio matured for 14 years, wowing audiences in America and Europe and recording four albums along the way.

The '90s saw Werner begin several outstanding musical partnerships. He continues to play duo with Toots Thielemans, the legendary harmonica player. For 20 years he has played with and arranged for Broadway legend Betty Buckley. He has also enjoyed a nearly 40-year friendship and musical collaboration with Joe Lovano, with each recording on several of the other's projects.

In 2000, Werner formed a new trio with Ari Hoenig on drums and Johannes Weidenmueller on bass. They played together for nearly a decade and released three albums, the last of which, Peace: Live at the Blue Note (2004), began Werner's fruitful relationship with Half Note Records, the recording arm of the Blue Note Jazz Club.

In 2010, Werner was honored with the Guggenheim Fellowship Award for his seminal work, No Beginning No End (2010). Released on Half Note Records, the album is a musical journey exploring tragedy and loss, death and transition, and the path from one lifetime to the next. Among his other recent releases are Institute of Higher Learning with the Brussels Jazz Orchestra (2011) and Me, Myself & I (2012), a live solo piano recording.

In addition to his work as a performer and composer, Werner is a world-class educator. His groundbreaking book on improvisation, Effortless Mastery (2006), is required reading for all aspiring jazz musicians. He also gives lessons and clinics across the U.S. and is currently an Artist-in-Residence at New York University.

For several years now, Werner has toured and recorded in a quintet format, releasing Balloons: Live at the Blue Note on Half Note Records just last year. Tonight, he returns to the Blue Note stage in this format, performing with an all-star quintet featuring guitarist Lionel Loueke and saxophonist Miguel Zenon.